Norfolk has been put forward as one of 100 places where a new town could be built, as part of what ministers say will be the "largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era".

The precise location being considered is not yet known, but it would be in south Norfolk and close to good transport links like A-roads.

Honingham Thorpe was previously mooted for a garden village (Image: Nick Butcher)

Possible sites could be at Silfield, Hethel, both near Wymondham, and Honingham Thorpe, between Norwich and Mattishall, which have all previously been considered for large-scale developments.

South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough is supporting the scheme - which would create a town larger than Dereham - and recently raised the issue in Parliament, where he urged ministers to meet him to discuss the project.

However, opposition is also growing and the Campaign for Rural England's Norfolk branch has issued a stark warning about what it sees as the consequence for the county if it goes ahead.

The new town proposal comes at a time when Norfolk is already undergoing significant housing development, as well as a number of energy projects in rural........

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